Ethereal world
As human beings, we are bound to feel a broad spectrum of emotions that help us make decisions and take action. They allow us to come to grips with ourselves and the world, and often serve as a basis for self-expression and work. With all the events happening over the last couple of years, 2023 seems like the perfect time to reflect on how we’ve changed, what’s really important, and what replenishes our energy to continue creating.
Explore tips and advice on ethereal aesthetics that teach you to observe, pay attention to details, and use AI tools to manipulate visuals.
Ethereal aesthetics as a tool to reflect on the world and self
Although being mindful and embracing slow living have been important approaches to fostering people's well-being, escapism remains a go-to for coping with anxiety. It usually takes only a couple of minutes to feel relief by listening to ambient music, watching an inspiring movie, reading a book that captivates attention, or simply observing nature. Sometimes, these things also serve as a reflection tool, allowing you to speculate on reality and develop your creative skills.
It often starts with a basic observation of details such as colors, shapes, and textures around you, and grows into an activity that allows you to better connect with the world and find inspiration for work. I don't know if it is because I grew up on an island or not, but I always feel at home in nature and it helps me connect with myself. I appreciate having time to look at the sky, go to the forest, and stare at the ocean. It always puts things into perspective.
Science has also demonstrated that being in contact with nature has a positive impact on the nervous system and it helps our well-being as humans. This could be one of the reasons why it's important for artists to be aligned with the environment and find peace to create from our true self
– says Taysa Jorge, a visual artist.
There’s no surprise that skills to observe and reflect are extremely important for artists, and they can also be a strong source of inspiration if you want to create visuals in dreamy, ethereal aesthetics.
Tips on achieving dreamy aesthetics with your images
Lighting is essential for photography and videography to exist, but it is also a key tool for creating a fairytale-like ambiance in your images; opt for natural and soft lighting during golden or blue hours. Adding haze or bokeh effects can endow your visuals with a dreamy, ethereal aesthetic without extreme image manipulation.
Another tip is to try blurry photography. These images were considered a lack of photography experience before, but today, capturing motion can add an artistic touch to your work and better translate dreamy vibes.
One of the biggest tendencies of the last year included unedited or slightly edited images that flawlessly translated the authentic ambiance of a person, object, or environment. Videos with ASMR sounds and no audio tracks were getting millions of views on social media. However, with the development of AI technology and NFT popularity, image manipulation started trending again as a tool to strengthen a story or share a creator's signature vision.
Photography itself will not change. There will always be space for the old trends as much as the new ones since, in the end, many of us feel more like artists who use photography as a tool to create something. There will always be people who will keep creating only analog or constantly experimenting with different things. But the fusion with new tools like AI and manipulation will become of more interest for artists in the next years
, – shares Taysa.
The essence of ethereal aesthetics lies in capturing the magical, unique, and inspiring things we can spot in everyday life. The notion of the word ‘ethereal’—extremely delicate and light in a way that seems to not be of this world—also helps to better understand what features dreamy images should include. Among popular and easy-to-create examples are capturing flecks of sunlight on glowing textures, curious object distortions, or interesting shapes of shadows that alter the perception of ordinary objects. But when it comes to dreamy aesthetics, the room for creativity is infinite.
American writer Emily Dickinson once said, "The 'magic' in magical realism is not overt or extravagant. It's often a subtle element to an otherwise quite ordinary space". This is an excellent explanation of the 20th-century art movement. Whether looking at pieces by Grant Wood, Marc Chagall, René Magritte, George Tooker, or any other artist, you’ll be able to notice their unique angle of where reality and fiction merge.
Get your creative juices flowing!
If you were looking to experiment with photography or videography in 2023, the Ethereal World trend is what you can start with. You can observe the environment around you, play with lighting and post-production, or explore the works of early 20th-century artists to create your own unique pieces. Inspiration is around you, you just need to pay attention to it.
